The purpose of the ACB is not to recognise combat duties but to recognise service with a combat element through formal force assignment.

To be eligible to be issued the ACB, a member must have:

(1) been force assigned to a combat team for a period of either a continuous or an aggregate of 90 days satisfactory service; or
(2) been physically deployed in the same geographical location as a Combat Team and have a primary role to directly support that Combat Team for a period of either a continuous or an aggregate of 90 days satisfactory service.

And:

(1) been serving on warlike operations; and
(2) not been previously issued the Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) or ACB.